Chapter 18

AN: Thank you so much for the support. Please leave a review/comment

Sorry about there being no update in the past few days. Like so many others I have been getting used to what life is like now and haven't been writing.

Law School has been moved online and I am facing the reality of not finishing when I was expecting too.

I don't know what the coming days/weeks will look at in regards to updating but I will try to update at least one story a day.

Hope you all stay healthy.


A few days have passed since Melinda woke up from her surgery and apart from the mission to take back the sandbox, which resulted in the sandbox being destroyed, no one has really left the playground. Rather, they have been watching to see which Hydra members the government deal with and who they will have to deal with themselves.

As the science squad, as Daisy has named them, are still working on Melinda's prosthetic she is still lying in her bed in the medical area, which has become more of a medical area, and it is clear to not just the people who know her, but everyone, that Melinda is getting frustrated with her limited mobility.

"And so both Fitz and Jemma are both using building your prosthetic to avoid talking to each other, and Daisy is purposely making sure that she, Jemma, and Fitz don't spend time just the three of them," Carol explains to Melinda as she has promised to keep Melinda up to date on everything that is going on around the playground.

"That's not surprising, Daisy is worried that Simmons will break up with her to be with Fitz," Melinda explains.

"I thought it was something like that," Carol admits, though she can't help but be worried about what is going to happen when Daisy, Fitz, and Simmons can't avoid everything any longer, and she really doesn't want any of them, Daisy and Simmons especially, to be hurt. "Do you think we should do something?" Carol asks curious.

"No, Daisy and Simmons need to work this out themselves," Melinda comments, as even though she would like to do something to protect them all from harm, she isn't sure that there is anything she could do.

"Daisy and Jemma are both beyond stubborn, so that could take a while," Carol comments, knowing that.

"I know," Melinda confirms. "You should go see them," Melinda says, and from the tone of her voice Carol knows that Melinda is not talking about Daisy and Simmons anymore.

"Mel…" Carol starts to say.

"You flying up as the Triskelion falls has been on every news channel. They'll recognize you, and they deserve to know what's going on," Melinda explains.

"And I'll tell them, but I'm not leaving you right now," Carol explains.

"Now is the best time to leave," Melinda explains, saying things that Carol knows. "Things are as settled as they are going to be, and Bobbi and Simmons say there is still going to be a bit of time before my surgery, which makes now the best time to go," Melinda explains, as she knows she has to have surgery to connect her prosthetic. "You know I'm right," Melinda says.

"You know you don't have to be right all the time," Carol says, with a smirk.

"It's fun," Melinda says, with a shrug. "I'll be okay, you should go, they live in the same place," Melinda says, and Carol still looks hesitant. "I know how much you desperately want to see them," Melinda tells Carol. "Go, I'll be okay," Melinda explains.

"I'll be back soon," Carol says, before bending over and kissing Melinda's head.

"Take your time," Melinda says, before smiling up at Carol, and in response Carol nods and heads out of the medical area.


While Carol is leaving the Playground, Natasha, who has spent most her time with Melinda and Carol, is in the common area making lists of everything that they still need to handle. As Natasha works, she hears footsteps and she looks up to see Tony and Clint.

"Hey Guys," Natasha says, not sure how to react around them anymore as while she has missed them a hell of a lot and is glad to have them again, she can't help but think about how she has lost them both and spent six years raising their daughters with Melinda and Carol.

"Thanos? Who, or what's, that?" Tony asks curious as on the piece of paper Natasha is writing on the big heading is Thanos.

"Your nightmare," Natasha answers, without hesitation.

"Oh great," Tony says sarcastically.

"Don't worry, we're not up to him yet," Natasha explains, even though she knows worry is exactly what they should do.

"You're making plans to make sure we don't have your future," Clint realizes.

"Yeah," Natasha confirms, as she scribbles down a couple of things.

"And is that why you can't look at us? Because of your future?" Tony asks, and as he does Natasha actually looks up.

"I thought I wasn't being obvious," Natasha admits.

"For the best spy in the world you suck at lying to your family," Clint comments.

"Yeah," Natasha says, with a chuckle. "Yes, you're both dead," Natasha confirms. "Tony, you scarified yourself to save everyone. Clint, you sacrificed yourself to save me, and get object that we needed to save everyone," Natasha explains, pain in her voice.

"Well, I'm glad I died doing something that matters," Clint comments.

"Same," Tony says.

"I know this is strange from your point of view, but I've really missed you guys," Natasha admits.

"I get it," Tony says. "But it looks like you've finally found your family," Tony says as he and Natasha had a conversation about that one night after the battle of New York.

"The two of you, and Steve, and Bruce, and Thor, and people you haven't met, were my first family. But yeah, I have," Natasha confirms.

"I'm happy for you,' Clint says, knowing that that is important for Natasha. "I know for you to be here there must have been horrible in your future, but I'm happy that you have a family," Clint says, knowing that is what his oldest friend has always wanted.

"I am too, I've got the family I've always wanted, and lost members of that family," Natasha admits, both joy and sorrow in her voice.

"I'm sorry," Tony says, and as he does the three of them drift into silence.


Not long after Carol left Melinda is lying in her hospital bed, thinking about everything, thinking about what Carol is going to say when she gets back from the people who she deeply loves, and thinking about how her injury is going to change everything.

Due to the fact that Melinda is so caught up in her thoughts she doesn't realize that she is no longer alone until Phil sits down next to her bed.

"Hi," Phil greats.

"Hi," Melinda responds.

"How you feeling?" Phil asks curious.

"Sick of this bed," Melinda admits.

"Fair enough," Phil admits. "Where's Carol?" he asks curious as it rare for Carol not to be next to Melinda's bed, though the same thing can be said for him, Natasha, and Daisy.

"Seeing some people she needs to see," Melinda explains.

"I'm guessing you pushed her into that," Phil realizes, and Melinda's slight nod is all he needs. "So, Bobbi asked me a weird question," Phil says, and in response Melinda just raises an eyebrow. "She asked me what the worst part was of my arm, then when I looked confused said right hasn't happened yet, apologized and just walked away," Phil explains. "I assume I lose an arm in the future," Phil comments.

"In our timeline you did. It shouldn't happen in this one," Melinda explains.

"What happened?" Phil asks, not being able to help his own curiosity.

"Mack cut off your hand with an axe to save your life," Melinda explains.

"That explains what you had Mike say," Phil realizes. "I don't want to know how I'm alive," Phil reveals, surprising Melinda.

"Are you sure?" Melinda asks, wanting to be sure of that fact.

"Yeah, from what you said it's for the best, and what matters is that I'm alive, not how I am," Phil reveals.

"Okay," Melinda says, with a nod.

"There is one thing I do what to know," Phil says, and Melinda gives him an interested look. "I assume I'm dead in your future, but what I want to know is at the end, were we still partners? Did we still have each others backs?" Phil asks curious.

"Yeah," Melinda confirms with a nod and slight smile. "Don't get me wrong we had our ups and downs, weren't always in the same place, but no matter the fights, or how far apart we were we were always partners, always had each other's backs, no matter what," Melinda explains, knowing that that was the case even when the other didn't realize.

"Then things weren't completely horrible," Phil says, and as he does Melinda smiles.

"Not completely, not always," Melinda admits, and the two of them exchange smiles, both feeling like as long as they have each others backs things are going to be okay. "Phil, could you get Simmons for me, I need to talk to her," Melinda explains.

"Sure, I think she's in the lab with Skye," Phil explains.

"Daisy," Melinda gently corrects.

"Right, Daisy," Phil corrects. "I'll go get her," Phil says, before leaving.


After leaving Melinda Phil heads straight to the lab where, just like he expected, he finds Daisy and Simmons.

"Simmons," Phil says, as he walks into the lab, which is more like a lab than it was a few days earlier.

"Sir?" Simmons asks curious.

"May wants to see you," Phil explains.

"Oh of course," Simmons says, before giving Daisy a look and heading out of the lab.

"Is May okay?" Daisy asks concerned.

"She's May, I think she's as okay as she can be," Phil explains, as he takes a few steps towards Daisy. "How are you doing?" Phil asks curious.

"Horribly," Daisy admits. "We came back, abandoned our timeline, to make this one better, and now May's lost her leg," Daisy says, pain in her voice.

"It will be okay, Daisy," Phil says, talking several more steps closer to Daisy, trying to be comforting. Despite how horribly she feels Daisy can't help but smile,

"I've really missed you," Daisy reveals.

"May said we became even closer in your timeline," Phil comments.

"Yeah, we did," Daisy confirms.

"I'm glad," Phil says, completely meaning that.

"You're my family. You, and May, showed me what it is like to have parents. To have people who are always on your side, no matter what, who love you unconditionally," Daisy reveals. "I know we're not as close as I was to the you I know, but I would like to be. To me it feels like I've got my dad back," Daisy admits, worried about how Coulson is going to react, but because she hasn't been sleeping well she has no fear in admitting that.

"Like I told May, I've already started to see you as a daughter, Skye, so I would like to know you better. I already feel incredibly proud of you," Phil reveals.

"It's Daisy," Daisy corrects gently before hugging Phil. As they hug Daisy realizes that the hug feels just the same as the hugs she has shared with the Phil from her timeline.


As she is trying to be careful so that she isn't seen, Carol's flight to Louisiana takes a little longer than expected, and honestly she is still a little hesitant about as she doesn't know how this visit is going to go.

Knowing that it is what she has to do Carol flies to the ground and gently lands on the ground outside the house that hasn't changed in almost twenty years.

Taking a deep breath, not that she really needs it, Carol starts to walk towards the front door, and as she does it suddenly opens and both Maria and a grown-up Monica walk out. While Monica isn't as old as the last time Carol saw her from her perspective, she is older than the last time Carol saw her in this timeline.

"Auntie Carol!" Monica says, hurrying over and hugging Carol.

"Hey Lieutenant Trouble," Carol greats, as she returns the hug, feeling glad to be holding her again.

"I knew that was you! I knew we'd see you soon!" Monica exclaims, looking excited.

"Sorry I took so long," Carol responds.

"Eighteen years," Maria says, as Carol and Monica break apart, though Carol keeps an arm around the now twenty-nine-year-old.

"I know," Carol responds, with a nod. "Things are complicated, and a long story, but I would like to tell you, if you want to listen," Carol explains.

"I want to listen," Monica says.

"Come in," Maria says, giving Carol a look, and the two of them, and Monica, walk inside.

"Have you been in space the whole time, Auntie Carol?" Monica asks, as they walk into the living room.

"Technically, but not really," Carol explains.

"What does that mean?" Maria asks, with a frown.

"You might want to sit down," Carol suggests.

"Just talk, Danvers," Maria says, crossing her arms, and Carol can't help but smirk, just a little.

"When I left here, I did go to space, and over twenty years there," Carol explains.

"But it's only been eighteen years," Maria says, looking confused.

"That's because I'm from the future," Carol explains. "The timeline I come from, things get bad, really bad," Carol admits. "Most of the world, most of the universe actually, is gone," Carol explains. "A friend of mine, a very powerful women, sent the consciousness of me and eight others, the biggest heroes left in the universe, back in time so we can fix things; make a better future," Carol explains.

"That's…. that's a lot," Maria says, as she pulls a chair and sits down.

"Yeah," Carol confirms. "I've been in this time for a few months, but only on earth for a few days as I needed to make sure things were stable in the universe, and to put in place some things I did in the previous timeline," Carol explains.

"What's the future going to be like?" Monica asks curious, still showing a childlike innocence despite her age.

"Hell," Carol admits. "But we're going to make sure it's not this time," Carol says, looking between the two people who she doesn't intend to let die, especially not in the way they did in the other timeline.

"Sounds like a big mission," Maria comments.

"Oh yeah," Carol confirms.

"How about I grab us some drinks and you can tell us about it," Maria says, standing up.

"I'd like that," Carol says, and the two of them exchange smiles, and looks full of affection.


Back at the playground Bobbi, who needed to get out some frustration, is in the Gym, which many members of the Playground worked hard to make sure was set up quickly, taking out her frustration on a boxing bag.

"What'd that bag do to you?" A very familiar British voice asks.

"More like what it represents," Bobbi responds.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Hunter asks curious.

"Nope," Bobbi responds, hitting the bag harder, and Hunter walks over.

"You know, Bob, I don't know where we are right now, but what I do know is I'm here if you want to talk, or if you want a sparing partner," Hunter comments.

"I know," Bobbi responds, looking glad. "Look, I've got multiple timelines in my head, multiple versions of us and our relationship, and it's confusing," Bobbi admits.

"Yeah, I'd say so," Hunter says, looking amused.

"But, even though things are confusing, I know we can trust each other, count on each other, and that matters," Bobbi admits.

"Yeah, it does," Hunter comments. "I like you talking, it's a breath of fresh air," Hunter admits, looking amused.

"Don't get used to it. I haven't changed that much," Bobbi says, as she continues to hut the bag.

"I'd be disappointed if you did, Luv," Hunter says, as he holds the bag steady for Bobbi, as she continues to hit.


While Bobbi and Hunter are in the Gym Melinda, who has had a conversation with Simmons, is lying in her bed, and considering the conversation she just had she isn't at all surprised when Natasha walks into the medical area. For most people it would be impossible to tell what Natasha is feeling but because Melinda knows her so well Melinda can tell that she isn't happy.

"What are you doing, Mel?" Natasha asks, and Melinda knows exactly what she is asking.

"I can't stay in this bed any longer, Nat. I need to get up, and the surgery is the best way to do it," Melinda explains simply.

"You heard the Science Squad…" Natasha starts to say.

"Daisy's going to be glad to hear that's catching on," Melinda says, looking amused.

"it's too soon," Natasha finishes, giving Melinda a dirty look.

"Simmons said it will be fine," Melinda explains.

"You'll be in pain!" Natasha exclaims.

"I'm already in pain," Melinda admits, and a look of pain flashes over Natasha's face, but then quickly disappears. "Look Nat, I can't be in this bed any longer, I can't be useless," Melinda says, looking annoyed, and ashamed, though she purposely doesn't look at Natasha.

"You could never be useless, Mel," Natasha says, as she sits down on Melinda's bed. "I need you to know that," Natasha says, and Melinda doesn't look at her and so she reaches out and takes Melinda's hand. "Hey, I'm serious," Natasha says, causing Melinda to look at her. "Mel, you protect us, yes, but your heart is what holds us together. Your tactical mind helps us, your presence makes us feel safe, and that fact that you never give up on the people you love gives us comfort, and makes us feel like we're not alone," Natasha admits, the vulnerability and truth being clear in her words. "You losing a leg doesn't change any of that, nothing could ever change that, but you cannot push yourself," Natasha explains, and Melinda gives her a look. "Yes, I know I'm being a hypocrite, but that doesn't mean what I'm saying isn't true," Natasha explains.

"I talked to Jemma. She told me all the possible side effects. Yes, this is soon, but there will be no major consequences," Melinda explains. "I need this Nat, it's time," Melinda admits as she really needs to get back into the fight, needs to get back to feeling more like herself.

"You are too stubborn for your own good," Natasha reveals, realizing that she isn't going to talk Melinda out of this.

"Right back at you," Melinda responds, and the two of them exchange amused looks.


Back in Louisiana Carol is very much enjoying spending time with Maria and Monica, the three of them having moved to the kitchen. Spending time with the people who mean so much to her is comfortable for Carol, and is something she has truly missed.

While Carol is filling Monica and Maria in on the things she did in the future, and what she did since leaving Earth, she is purposely being vague about the details of the people who have become her family in the future, Melinda especially. Carol is doing this as she isn't sure how to talk about them, an action that, in a sense, will combine her two families together.

"So, you did see us in your timeline?" Monica asks curious.

"Yeah," Carol confirms, with a nod. "We had some really good times together," Carol reveals, a sadness to her voice which the others pick up on, but before Maria or Monica can respond Carol's cellphone rings. "Sorry," Carol says, pulling her phone out of her leather jacket. Carol is about to reject the call when she sees who is on the caller id. "Daisy? What's wrong?" Carol asks, as she quickly answers. "Is Mel okay?" Carol asks worried and hearing the way Carol says the name Monica and Maria exchange looks, as they can both hear the emotion in Carol's voice.

"Nothing's bad has happened," Daisy assures Carol. "But May's gone into surgery. She's having the Science Squad connect her prosthetic," Daisy explains, feeling like there is no point in beating around the bush.

"She's what?" Carol asks surprised. "She'll be in some much pain!" Carol says worried.

"I know. Nat tried to talk to her, but you know May. She wouldn't be talked out of this," Daisy explains.

"Of course," Carol says, with a sigh, not being able to help but wonder if that was the reason Melinda convinced her to make this trip. "Thanks for calling, Daisy," Carol says, relieved.

"No problem, I'll see you soon," Daisy says, there being no question in her mind that Carol will immediately travel back to the Playground.

"Yep," Carol says before hanging up.

"Is everything okay?" Monica asks curious.

"Not really," Carol admits as she puts her phone back in her pocket.

"Who's Mel?" Maria asks curious, and not being able to help it Monica looks between her mother and Carol.

"I'll give you two some privacy," Monica says, before hurrying out of the room, as even though she is grownup she does not want to be apart of that conversation.

"Mel is someone I care about, Daisy's her daughter," Carol explains, choosing her words careful. "Mel was hurt in the battle against Hydra. Her leg had to be amputated. She's having surgery now to connect the prosthetic," Carol explains.

"You love her," Maria says, knowing that because she knows Carol.

"Yeah," Carol says, knowing there is no point denying it.

"You should go to her," Maria responds.

"Maria…." Carol starts to say, feeling like there is so much that she and Maria have to say to each other.

"We can talk later; we'll have to," Maria admits. "But right now, you have somewhere you need to be, somewhere you should be, and we'll still be here once you get back," Maria explains.

"I've never stopped loving you," Carol reveals, as while she isn't completely sure what ways she loves Maria she knows that she does.

"And I never stopped loving you, but we're not in our twenties anymore; no matter how you may look," Maria says, with a smirk, being pretty sure there is a lot she and Carol have to figure out.

"No, we're not," Carol confirms. "I'll be back when I can," Carol says, standing up and walking over to Maria.

Once Carol is close enough she bends over and kisses Maria's head,

"It was really good to see you," Carol admits, before heading out of the kitchen.

After heading out of the kitchen Carol says goodbye to Monica, and promises her she'll be back soon, before she heads outside and takes to the sky, heading back to The Playground.